Tire chain



Dec. 2, 1930. J, oss 1,783,872

I TIRE 0mm Filed July so, 1929 Patented Dec. 2, 1930 i 1 UNITED STATES A G. A. nn FREECE," or MIDWEST, W oMINe TIRE Guam 1 Application filed my 3o, 1929. Serial Nod-182,172; f

a This invention relates to improvements in automobile tire chains in which a plurality oflongitudinally extending chains are used connected together by cross chains and the general object of the present invention is to provide av structure of this'character which.

is provided with a middle or tread chain,

side chains, and straight cross chains connecting the tread chain to, the side chains= 1Y9 whereby-to secure better traction and reduce side skidding to a minimum and yet provide a chain which will run smoothly over hard surfaced roads.

' A further object is to provide a chain of this character which can be usedwith any makeof car, that will reduce accidents and provide for long service. v r Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a.fragmentary plan view of a tire chain constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the fastener used for one of the side chains;

. Figure 3 is aside elevation of the fastener;

Figure 1 isa longitudinalsectional view 7 of the construction shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is aview. of the fasteneropen.

v 7 Referring to the' drawings, 10 designates the tread chain which is medially disposed and-endless. This chain will be made to fit diflerent sizes of standard tires. Disposed '35 on each-side of the middle chain are the side 7 chains 11 which are connected to the middle or tread chain'by means of the "cross chains 12. These cross chains, as illustrated in Figure 1, are disposedin staggered relation with 40 regard to each other so that a cross chain extending from one side chain will intersect and connect with the'tread chain-at a point approximately midway between two cross chains extending from the tread chain to the other side chain. This is an important feature of my invention that this cross chain should be staggered. These chains are, of course, to be made of metal and the links of the chain may have any suitable configuration to cause them to secure proper traction of the-chain, this hook having to the-road 'without undue 'wear. to the tire. i

1 The side chains are provided with means more points this means consistingof one or more hooks :13 disposed in a length of a chain'll and connected with one of the links pivoted thereapproximately to a latch 1th formed of an U-sh'apedpiece of metal embracingfthe end of the book; 3 and; pivotedv Outward-of this pivot point,the'other stretch of the chainis connected to the lever 14 so that when this lever is forced into aZ-practically parallelrelation to the hook 13,the -'tw0 ends'of the chain will be pulled; towa'rdr.

eachother; When the hook 13 is hooked into the closed end of the chain,

thereto at 15. a

whereby; Slackmaybe'taken up at one or the lever is pulled over it and the riveted ends of the lever and hook at 15 pass through the link of the chain that is riveted to the lever 1 L so that the strain willbe carried along the longitudinal aXis of both the hookand the lever 14: and tend to cause the hook to swing to a closed position after it has passed its center.

The free end of the lever 14 when it is; closed extends under the hook end of the member 13, thus locking this lever so that it will not become unfastened until the free end of the lever is sprung out from under the" "hook of the member 13-. The middle chain is to be suiiiciently long so that the diameter of this middle chain will be somewhat greater "than the diameter of the tire to which it is to be applied so that when theside chains are engaged on each side of the tire and these side chains contracted, the middle chain will be pulled into a slightly zig-Zag position by the strain on the cross chains and all slack in the middle chain will be taken upthereby.

are no hooks or other means in the length of this chain, but that the chain is endless. The side chains are of the conventional .type as are the cross chains.

It will be seen that the middle or tread 'chain is of solid constructioninthatthere Atirechain constructed in accordance with my invention will hold the car from side skidding'and when placed on the front wheel willaflord sufficient traction to enable the driver to pull out of slippery tracks, etc, as well as keep thecar from skid lateral chains when the side chains are "hooked up resists any 'late'ral skidding action and at the same time secures traction at the point where it is most needed, namely at the middle of the tire tread.

I claim I A tire chain comprising an endless tread chain adapted to' be' locsely' pnsiticned on the tread of the tire'yapa ir 0f splits'ide'chains,

a pluralitycf cress chainssecured to said side chains and terminating at said endless Chillll,

said cross chains being jd isposed imstiaggered relation to each ethe-fiand tensicning :means carried by ene .end of each of said side chains and en'gageable inselected links in the opposi'te end of each side chain'wh-ereby to'itighten the side chains, said cross :chains upon tightening of the 'sic le chains'heing adapted to 1 dispose the endless cha inin' staggered relation across the tr'ead of thel t ire.

signature. 

